Ones to Watch in 2026/27

We are less than 24 hours away from the kickoff of the 2026/27 NFL season.

Everyone loves a “sleeper pick”, so here are my sleeper picks (plus an honorable mention) for every single position group ahead of the season.

QB: Kyler Murray

Minnesota Vikings

I am 100% bought in to the Kyler Murray in Minnesota experience. Kyler had his ups and downs in Arizona, but I believe that a new change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to prove that he can still play at the top level.

Simply put, this Minnesota Vikings team is by far the best team that Murray has ever played on (on paper at least). Major upgrades at offensive line and wide receiver, partnered with the NFL’s most chaotic defense gives Murray all the tools he could ask for. The question is whether or not he will capitalize.

The Vikings play in the hardest division in football, but a QB-HC pairing of Kyler and Kevin O’Connell gives the Vikings an incredibly dynamic option at quarterback for the first time since Randall Cunningham.

Kyler has never been a “bad” quarterback. At his best, he’s top ten. At his worst, top 18. Even the worst version of Kyler Murray gives the Vikings a dramatic upgrade at the game’s most important position. To a team that finished one game out of a wild card spot, this could make all the difference.

Honorable Mention: Tyler Shough - New Orleans Saints

RB: Jonah Coleman

Denver Broncos

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Jonah Coleman is the best running back in the Denver backfield. Coleman fits the bowling ball running back archetype that I love. At 5'8” 220lbs, bowling ball doesn’t even begin to describe Coleman.

Coleman reminds me very strongly of David Montgomery, just a bit shorter. Where Coleman lacks in speed, he makes up for in every other department. He plays the position with extreme physicality blended with great vision. Most running backs built like Coleman are a liability on third down, but that might be where he is best. The Washington product is an excellent pass protector who also thrives catching passes.

Although he is a bit buried on the depth chart right now, I have a good feeling that once he gets his chance, Coleman isn’t going to look back.

Honorable Mention: Keaton Mitchell - Los Angeles Chargers

WR: Rashid Shaheed

Seattle Seahawks

The fortunes of the Seattle Seahawks changed the moment that they acquired Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline. Shaheed returned three kicks for touchdowns while as a member of the Seahawks, with the most notable one happening on that improbable fourth quarter comeback against the Rams on Thursday Night Football.

Everyone knows the impact that Shaheed has on special teams, but I think that he is going to play a significant role on the offensive side of the ball. Rashid isn’t just a “gadgety” player that is mostly there for special teams, he’s genuinely a good receiver. He just hasn’t had too much of a chance to show it.

With a full offseason in Seattle under his belt, look for Shaheed to be utilized heavily in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. Speed kills.

Honorable Mention: Cyrus Allen - Kansas City Chiefs

TE: Chig Okonkwo

Washington Commanders

Okonkwo was never able to capitalize on his breakout rookie season with the Tennessee Titans. From 2023 to 2025 he never managed to top 56 catches, 560 yards, and two scores. So why am I naming him as a one-to-watch this year? A change of scenery can make a large difference.

Chig is built in the “modern” NFL style tight end at 6’2” 240lbs. He is a capable blocker, but not someone you could stick one-on-one with an edge rusher. Okonkwo’s biggest asset is his speed, he can absolutely fly. He clocked a 4.52 40-yard dash with a 1.57 10-yard split when he attended the combine. New Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough is going to look to move him all around the formation to take advantage of his speed mismatch.

Okonkwo’s fit into the Commanders’ offense fits like a glove. Terry McLaurin and Stephon Diggs are both excellent deep and intermediate threats, but neither of them are true YAC threats. That’s where Okonkwo fits in. Chig is going to be Jayden Daniels’ best friend this year.

Honorable Mention: Eli Raridon - New England Patriots

OT: Rasheed Walker

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers pulled off the heist of free agency when they inked former Green Bay Packers tackle Rasheed Walker. Walker was a more than serviceable tackle for the Packers, so the fact that the Panthers were able to acquire him for only $4 million is mind-boggling.

Tackle was a major need for the Panthers due to their star, Ikem Ekwonu, suffering a ruptured patella tendon in their playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Carolina decided to double dip at the position, first with Walker, then by acquiring the high upside Monroe Freeling in the draft.

Walker is going to be a free agent next year, so don’t be surprised when a team decides to pay him $20 million per-year to protect their quarterback’s blindside.

Honorable Mention: Jake Slaughter - Los Angeles Chargers

DL: Khyiris Tonga

Kansas City Chiefs

Milton Williams and Christian Barmore dominated the headlines whenever anyone talked about the Patriots defense, and rightly so, but it was nose tackle Khyiris Tonga that truly let them be as dominant as they were.

The true nose tackle is a thankless position in the NFL. They aren’t the ones who get the accolades or the stats, but their role is one of the most important on the defensive side of the ball. Tonga is one of the best block eaters in the NFL. He has an excellent ability to occupy multiple defenders at once and allow his teammates to have an easy play on the running back.

Kansas City pulled off an extremely savvy bit of business, signing Tonga for only 3-years $21 million. By having a true plugger like Tonga at the center of their defense, it allows for players like George Karlaftis and R Mason Thomas to pin their ears back and hunt the quarterback. It also frees up Chris Jones too. That guy is pretty good.

Honorable Mention: Donovan Ezeiruaku - EDGE Dallas Cowboys

LB: Divine Deablo

Atlanta Falcons

Would you believe me if I said that Fred Warner’s injury was not definitively the most impactful inside linebacker injury last season? When Fred Warner was on the field the 49ers defensive EPA per play was -0.044. With Warner off the field, it dropped to 0.076, for a difference of about 0.120 EPA per play.

When Divine Deablo was on the field for the Falcons, their defensive EPA per play was -0.072. With him off the field it dropped to 0.056, a difference of 0.128 EPA per play. The difference is relatively minimal when comparing the two, but the fact that they are even comparable speaks volumes to Deablo’s impact on Atlanta’s defense.

Despite having one of the weirdest quarterback situations in the league, I would argue that the fate of the 2026 Atlanta Falcons boils down to if their star linebacker can stay on the field.

Honorable Mention: Quay Walker - Las Vegas Raiders

CB: Jermod McCoy

Las Vegas Raiders

Entering the draft, I had McCoy ranked as a top-12 player in the 2026 class. Medical red flags caused him to fall to the fourth round and the Las Vegas Raiders capitalized. If McCoy is able to stay healthy, he profiles as a dynamic shut-down cornerback, the issue is whether or not he can stay on the field.

McCoy debuted for the Raiders in their preseason game and had a rough outing. Considering it was his first live game in two years, I’m willing to cut him some slack.

This year for McCoy isn’t going to be about being elite right away, instead the focus is going to be on playing in all 17 games. If he can do so, the Raiders found an excellent building block on Day 3.

Honorable Mention: Benjamin Morrison - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

S: Malaki Starks

Baltimore Ravens

Starks was one of my favorite players in the 2025 draft class and has an excellent opportunity to blossom into one of the best free safeties in the NFL this season. Last season started off a bit rough for Starks, but as the year passed he began to truly grow into his role.

New Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter helped the Los Angeles Chargers have top-9 scoring defenses in back-to-back years, including the best scoring defense in 2024. The Chargers defense, outside of Derwin James, lacked the star power that the Ravens possess.

Starks has the ability to play all over the defense, something that Minter is surely going to utilize this season. Add in the versatile monster that is Kyle Hamilton and the Ravens defense is going to be playing with two queens on the board.

Honorable Mention: Camryn Bynum - Indianapolis Colts